New Zealand’s women’s rugby league team delivered a commanding performance to reach the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final, crushing Samoa 32-0 in their semi-final clash at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Kiwi Ferns dominated proceedings in blustery conditions, with star player Stacey Waaka leading the charge by scoring three tries. Her hat-trick performance epitomised New Zealand’s clinical execution throughout the match, with support coming from multiple sources across the attacking line.
Clinical Attacking Display
The New Zealand outfit’s try-scoring was spread across the team, demonstrating the depth of their attacking threat. Mackenzie Wiki crossed for a try, as did Mele Hufanga and Kaiyah Atai, with Raecene McGregor also adding to the scoreboard. This collective contribution underlined how thoroughly the Kiwi Ferns controlled the semi-final encounter.
Playing in challenging weather conditions at the McDonald Jones Stadium proved no obstacle to New Zealand’s dominance. The Kiwi Ferns’ ability to execute their game plan effectively despite the blustery environment showcased their quality and preparation for the tournament’s knockout stages.
The comprehensive nature of the victory—a 32-point shutout—underscores New Zealand’s status as genuine contenders in the tournament, having now advanced to the final stage of the competition.